How to Build Rapport
-
Mar
Finding the Common Ground
Posted by Ryan Thomas
Rapport building is the process of establishing a connection, understanding, and harmony with another person. It is a fundamental skill in building and maintaining relationships, both personal and professional. Rapport building involves creating a sense of trust, respect, and comfort between two or more people, often through nonverbal communication such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. It also involves active listening and the ability to understand and empathise with the other person's perspective.
Some common techniques for building rapport include finding common ground, using open-ended questions to encourage dialogue, reflecting back what the other person has said to show understanding, and using humor and positive body language to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Building rapport can lead to better communication, increased understanding, and more successful interactions and relationships.
Finding the Common Ground
Finding common ground with someone involves identifying shared interests, values, experiences, or goals. Here are some techniques that can help:
Active listening: Pay attention to what the other person is saying, and look for any shared experiences or interests that you may have.
Ask open-ended questions: Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no". They encourage dialogue and can help uncover shared interests or experiences.
Share your own experiences: Sharing your own experiences or interests can help the other person feel more comfortable opening up about their own.
Look for nonverbal cues: Nonverbal cues such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions can provide clues about the other person's interests and values.
Next